AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY AND THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES IN BEIJING - THE INCIDENCE OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY IN THE BEIJING AREA

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) was studied through a 3-level monitoring network of maternal and child health care (MCH) in the enti re Beijing area, including 82 hospitals, 19 MCH centers and 2 institut es for family planning. A total of 1,420 cases of EP were collected in a sample of 2.7 million women of reproductive age (15-49) during a on e-year period from January 1 to December 31, 1990. The cases were conf irmed by pathological examination or laparoscopy. In addition, epidemi ological surveillance method was used. The results showed that the ove rall incidence of EP was 0.52 per thousand women of reproductive age ( W= Women of reproductive age (15-49)) in the Beijing area, 0.60/1000W in the urban districts and 0.41/1000 in the rural area; 0.67/1000W mar ried women, and 0.05/1000W in the unmarried. For married women, 0.54/1 000W for those women using various contraceptive measures and 1.80/100 0W for women using no contraceptives. The incidence of EP varies with different contraceptive methods. Female sterilization had the lowest i ncidence (0.18/1000W) and natural contraceptive measures (rhythm or wi thdrawal method) had the highest (2.43/1000W). It was 0.65/1000W in IU D users, 0.21/1000W in OC users and 0.57/1000W in couples using condom s or spermicides.